Worthy Brief - 12/20/2023
Friend, renew and take hold of your vision!
1 Cor 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.
From the beginning, we anticipated a time when we would need to produce all our news content. Over the past month, as many of you are aware, we've fully shifted to generating articles exclusively through our dedicated in-house writing team. We've also expanded as we continue to freely syndicate our news to any online Christian ministry. Operating on faith and independent of advertising revenue, our ministry's content is driven not by external factors but by a deep commitment to fulfilling the Lord's will. Our enduring vision has been to supply believers with accurate and honest news, enabling thousands to engage, be informed, and effectively pray about worldwide events. It was a vision the Lord gave us over ten years ago. We're coming into a new year ... now might be a time to revisit something the Lord has laid upon your heart!
"Where there is no vision, the people perish" [Proverbs 29:18]. Has the Lord given you a vision? Has He given you an assignment to accomplish? Now is the time to lay hold of that vision and continue to fulfill your calling. It may not happen as you planned or expected…but be confident of this fact…that your work in the Lord is not in vain!
Friend, don't settle for what the Lord has already accomplished through you. Yes, it's always nice to be reminded of how God has already used you – but never lose sight of what He still wants to do with you in the future and how He may want to build upon what He has already done in the past. So renew your vision of His will for your life, for your future – and walk in it!
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Obadiah and Elianna (Dallas, TX)
(Baltimore, MD)
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Editor's Note:
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Editor's Note: We are planning our Winter Tour so if you would like us to minister at your congregation, home fellowship, or Israel focused event, be sure to let us know ASAP. You can send an email to george [ @ ] worthyministries.com for more information.
Iran Accused at UN of Illegal Missile and Drone Transfers, and High-Level Uranium Enrichment
Iran faced accusations from Western Powers of developing and testing ballistic missiles, sending hundreds of drones to Russia for use in its war with Ukraine, and enriching uranium to a 60 percent level unprecedented for a country without a declared nuclear weapons program. Each of these violates a UN resolution, the Associated Press reported.
Jordan Welcomes Re-Election of Egyptian President As Both Nations Face War
Jordan’s King Abdullah welcomed Egypt's President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s re-election Tuesday at a time when both nations face war in their neighborhood.
Pentagon Announces 10 Nation Coalition to Counter Houthi Attacks on Strategic Corridor in Red Sea
On Monday, the United States announced the formation of a 10-nation coalition creating a new force aimed at suppressing missile and drone attacks from Iranian-backed Houthi rebels on vessels navigating the Red Sea. This "multinational security initiative" includes participation from Britain, France, Bahrain, and Italy among other countries.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel Close To War With Hezbollah In Lebanon
Israel came closer Wednesday to an all-out war with the Lebanon-based Hezbollah group, which it views as a terrorist organization backed by Iran, as hostilities escalated.
Evangelical IDF Soldier Falls Defending Israel Against Hamas in Gaza
vangelical IDF soldier falls defending Israel against Hamas in GazaA young German Evangelical Christian has been killed fighting Hamas in Gaza as a volunteer combat soldier with the Israeli Defense Forces, the Jerusalem Post reports. A member of the Maglan Special Forces unit of the IDF’s Nahal Brigade, 20 year-old Sgt.-Maj. Urija Bayer died on Sunday after being critically wounded in the southern Gaza Strip on December 14.
Inside the United States
Colorado Supreme Court Decision Disqualifies Trump from 2024 Presidential Ballot, Paving Way for Supreme Court Appeal
In a bombshell decision, the Colorado Supreme Court decided on Tuesday that former President Donald Trump is ineligible to be on the 2024 presidential primary ballot. The court has effectively barred Trump from pursuing the presidency due to his involvement in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, referencing the 14th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, a measure dating back to the post-Civil War era.
Tennessee: Baby Swept Out of His Home in Deadly Tornado Found Unharmed in a Tree, “Pretty Much a Miracle”
In what has been described as a miracle, a baby in Clarksville, Tennessee, was found unharmed in a tree after a deadly tornado ripped through his home, tearing off the roof and sweeping him up out of his crib, ABC News reports. Although his home was completely destroyed, four-month-old Lord Moore suffered only a cut to his face in the tornado, which killed three people and injured dozens of others as it stormed through Clarksville on Dec. 9.
Texas Governor Signs Law Challenging Biden Immigration Policies, Empowering State Law Enforcement
Republican Governor Greg Abbott of Texas has signed a new bill granting police the authority to detain illegal immigrants. This legislation also empowers local judges to order their departure from the country. This move aims to combat the influx of illegal immigration that has overwhelmed the state since the onset of the Biden Administration, challenging the extent to which a state can enforce immigration laws.
Christian News
Prison Ministry Will Deliver Gifts and Gospel Message to 65,000 Prisoners Worldwide This Christmas
A US-based international prison ministry is set to hand-deliver a gift pack and the Gospel to 65,000 prisoners around the world this Christmas, CBN News reports. Good News Global will be delivering its “Hope Packs” to male and female prisoners across 16 US states and 18 other countries during the Christmas season.
YouVersion Bible App Has Been Downloaded Over 700 Million Times
Demonstrating the Bible’s timeless appeal across the millennia, the popular “YouVersion” free Bible app has been downloaded more than 700 million times in the US and worldwide since it was first developed 15 years ago, Religion News Service (RNS) reports.